Kookaburra

Kookaburra, common name for four species of birds living in Australia and New Guinea. The laughing kookaburra, a stocky grayish bird about 46 cm (about 18 in) long, is the largest member of its family. The bird rarely catches fish, living mainly on large insects, mice, small birds, and small snakes. Its raucous call, which inspired its common nickname of “laughing jackass,” is often heard on television and motion picture soundtracks to typify “jungle sounds.” Originally native to eastern Australia, this species was successfully introduced into the western part of the continent. A slightly smaller species, the blue-winged kookaburra, occurs in northern Australia; the two species overlap in Queensland. Two other species live in New Guinea.

Scientific classification: Kookaburras belong to the family Alcedinidae of the order Coraciiformes. The laughing kookaburra is classified as Dacelo novaeguineae, the blue-winged kookaburra as Dacelo leachii.